George R. Neil
Agency patch
Patrolman

George R. Neil

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch May 22, 1930
Age 38
Badge 5166
The Vigil Panel 59 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman George Neil died three days after being beaten and then shot with his own weapon. The men, suspected to be part of an Irish club devoted to attacking African Americans, were ordering the victim off his stool at the Back of the Yards diner at 5435 S. Halsted Street. Patrolman Neil stepped forward, dressed in civilian clothes, and identified himself as a police officer. Patrolman Neil told the victim that he didn't have to move. One man threw a stool at Patrolman Neil while the others beat him. Ashe tried to fend off his attackers, one grabbed his gun and shot him twice in the stomach before they all fled in a car. Patrolman Neil died three days after the attack. The killers were never convicted.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-910E73B3
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
April 2, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Neil served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Neil.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Chicago, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 22, 1930
Age 38
Badge Number 5166
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Not available

Patrolman George R. Neil is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.

Chicago Police Department
396
of 571 officers
69.4% Felonious
IL — Statewide
842
of 1,318 officers
63.9% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George R. Neil's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How George R. Neil Compares

Age at End of Watch
38
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Not available

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George R. Neil is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George R. Neil was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location